Disposable drinking cup

ABSTRACT

A beverage container of the type having a body member and a base member at one extremity includes a rigid, telescoping drinking straw secured to the inside surface of the body; to enable the nesting of a plurality of such containers, the body may be fashioned in a frustoconical configuration and have two longitudinal recesses, one on the inside surface which accommodates the telescoping straw and the other on the outside surface which conforms complementally to the straw of a second container upon nesting; alternatively, the container may include a rigid cover fixedly secured to the body which cover includes a separable portion that is oriented to register with the telescoping straw to permit its extension upon removal of the separable portion.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Louis D. Leeds 630 Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10021 [21] Appl. No 818,211 [22} Filed Apr. 22, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 26, 1971 [54] DIS POSABLE DRINKING CUP 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 229/7, 229/l.5: 215/1, 220/902, 220/54 [51] Int. Cl 865d 3/00, 865d l/08, B65d 5/00 [50] Field of Search 229/1.5, 75, 54; 220/902; 215/1A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,885,134 5/1959 Cohen 229/l.5

2,948,453 8/1960 Drown ABSTRACT: A beverage container of the type having a body member and a base member at one extremity includes a rigid, telescoping drinking straw secured to the inside surface of the body; to enable the nesting of a plurality of such containers, the body may be fashioned in a frustoconical configuration and have two longitudinal recesses, one on the inside surface which accommodates the telescoping straw and the other on the outside surface which conforms complementally to the straw of a second container upon nesting; alternatively, the container may include a rigid cover fixedly secured to the body which cover includes a separable portion that, is oriented to register with the telescoping straw to permit its extension upon removal of the separable portion.

DISPOSABLE DRINKING CUP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION widely at take out counters. An attempted solution to the nesting problem is disclosed by U. S. Pat. No. 3,406,868 in which a collapsible and telescopable straw is secured to the inside wall of a frustoconical container. Nesting is possible because the straw collapses but this construction, too, is disadvantageous because such straw would tend to collapse when suction is applied to draw off the liquid contents of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The beverage container of the present invention includes a body member terminating in a rim at one extremity and a base member secured at the other extremity/The improvement in combination with such container comprises a substantially rigid first tubular member secured to the inside surface of the body member and extending from the base member to the rim. The first tubular member has an inlet adjacent the base member and an outlet at the container rim. A portion of the first tubular member is constricted to provide an opening dimension at the outlet which is less than the inside dimension of the remainder of the first tubular member. A substantially rigid second tubular member is slidably disposed within the first tubular member. The second tubular member includes an annular fitting secured to its exterior surface at an end adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member. The fitting is substantially similar in cross-sectional configuration to that of the first tubular member and has a maximum cross-sectional dimension which is less than the minimum cross-sectional inside dimension of the first tubular member but greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the outlet of the first tubular member. The fitting abuts the constricted portion of the first tubular member in substantially fluid-tight relationship when the second tubular member is fully extended with respect to the first tubular member to provide a conduit through which the beverage may be withdrawn from the container.

In a nestable embodiment of the beverage container of the present invention, the body member is of substantial thickness, frustoconical in configuration, and has a longitudinal recess in its outer surface and a longitudinal recess in its inner surface. The first tubular member is secured to the body member at the inner recess and is configured to be received complementally in the outer recess in the body of a second beverage container when a plurality of such containers are nested. In another embodiment of the present invention which is particularly suitable for use in combination with rigid, sealed cans, the can cover includes a separable portion oriented to register with the second tubular member thereby permitting the extension of the second tubular member when the separable portion is removed.

The present invention provides a nestable container having a self contained, noncollapsible, telescopable straw which is fixedly secured to the container body wall. It may be utilized in sealed cans as well as in open cups to achieve a safe, convenient and dependable means for increasing the enjoyment of liquid refreshment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of a first embodiment of the present beverage container;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the present beverage container having a removable cover secured thereto;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;-

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present beverage container; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A beverage container 10 of the present invention includes a body member 11 which terminates in a rim 12 at one extremity and to which a base member 13 is secured or integrally formed at the other extremity.

A substantially rigid, noncollapsible first tubular member 15 is secured to the inside surface of the body member 11 and extends substantially from the base member 13 to the rim 12 as shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The first tubular member 15 has an inlet 16 adjacent the base member I3 and an outlet 17 at the rim 12. The base member 13 may be provided with a well portion I8 adjacent the inlet 16 to facilitate the fiow of liquid toward the inlet 16. As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 4, the first tubular member I5 has an internally constricted portion 19 to provide an opening dimension at the outlet I7 which is less than the inside dimension of the remaining length of the first tubular member 15.

A substantially rigid, noncollapsible second tubular member 20 is slidably disposed within and extensible with respect to the first tubular member 15. The second tubular member 20 includes an outlet end 21 and an annular fitting 22 which is secured to its exterior surface at an end 23 of the second tubular member 20 more adjacent the inlet 16 of the first tubular member 15. When the second tubular member 20 is fully extended with respect to the first tubular member 15, the fitting 22 abuts the constricted portion 19 of the first tubular member 15 in substantially fluid-tight relationship to ensure that effective suction may be maintained throughout the entire length from inlet 16 of the first tubular member 15 to the outlet end 21 of the second tubular member 20 and further to prevent the second tubular member 20 from being completely withdrawn inadvertently from within the first tubular member 15. To achieve these ends, the fitting 22 requires a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially similar to the cross sectional configuration of the inside of the first tubular member 15. Additionally, the fitting 22 must have a maximum cross-sectional dimension which is less than the minimum crosssectional inside dimension of the first tubular member 15 so that the second tubular member 20 may be extended readily when desired; such dimension must also be greater than the maximum cross-sectional inside dimension of the constricted outlet portion 19 of the first tubular member 15 so that the fluid-tight seal between the members I5, 20 may be achieved and so that the second tubular member 20 may not be withdrawn inadvertently from within the first tubular member 15.

Referring specifically to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4, inclusive, the body member 12 is of substantial thickness, preferably being madeof foamed resinous plastic material such as styrene, and is frustoconical in configuration, the base member 13 being secured at the smaller extremity. The body member 12 has longitudinal recess 30 in its outer surface and a longitudinal recess 31 in its inner surface. The longitudinal recesses 30, 31 may be mechanically embossed in the body member 12 or may be formed by using chemicals to retard foaming of the plastic body member material in such areas. The first tubular member 15 is secured to the body member 11 at the inner recess 31, and is configured to be received complementally in the outer recess 30 in the body of a second beverage container (not shown) when a plurality of such containers are nested.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the container 10 may be provided with a removable cover 35 which is securable to their body member 11 in substantially fluid-tight relationship with the rim 12. The cover 35 includes a separable portion 36 which is oriented to register with the second tubular member 20 thus permitting the second tubular member 20 to be extended fully without removal of the entire cover 35. The second tubular member 20 may be of such length that the outlet end portion 21 protrudes above the outlet 17 of the first tubular member 15 and the container rim 12 to facilitate extension of the second tubular member 20.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, a second embodiment of the present invention is a container 50 including a metallic or composite rigid body member 51 having a substantially rigid metallic base or end closure member 53 secured to one extremity and a substantially rigid metallic cover 54 fixedly secured in fluid-tight relationship with a rim 55 of the body member 51. The cover 54 includes a separable portion 56 of conventional construction which is oriented to register with and to permit the extension of a second tubular member 60 slidably disposed within a first tubular member 61 which in turn is secured to the inside surface of the body member 51 in a manner identical to that described supra with respect to the first embodiment and these elements need not be described in detail. However, because the second tubular member 60 by necessity is completely confined within the container 50 until the separable portion 56 is removed, reliance may be had upon either the relative buoyancy of the second tubular member 61 in the liquid contents to assist its extension or, preferably, upon biassing means such as a spring 65 which are disposed within the first tubular member 61 between the base member 53 and the end of the second tubular member 60. Such biassing means 65 urge the second tubular member 60 axially and impel it into at least a partially extended mode upon removal of the separable portion 56 of the container cover 54.

lclaim:

1. In a beverage container of the type including a body member terminating in a rim at one extremity and a base member secured at the other extremity, the improvement in combination therewith comprising:

a. a substantially rigid first tubular member secured to the inside surface of the body member and extending from the base member to the rim, the first tubular member having an inlet adjacent the base member and an outlet at the container rim, and a portion of the first tubular member being constricted to provide an opening dimension at the outlet which is less than the inside dimension of the remainder of the first tubular member; and

b. a substantially rigid second tubular member slidably disposed within and extensible with respect to the first tubular member, the second tubular member including an annular fitting secured to its exterior surface at an end adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member, the fitting being substantially similar in cross-sectional configuration to that of the first tubular member and having a maximum cross-sectional dimension which is less than the minimum cross-sectional inside dimension of the first tubular member but greater than the maximum cross-sectional dimension of the outlet of the first tubular member; the fitting of the second tubular member abutting the constricted portion of the first tubular member in substantially fluid-tight relationship when the second tubular member is fully extended with respect to the first tubular member to provide a conduit through which the beverage may be withdrawn from the container.

2. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the body member is of substantial thickness and frustoconical in configuration, the base member being secured at the smaller extremity; the body member having a longitudinal recess in its outer surface and a longitudinal recess in its inner surface; the first tubular member being secured to the body member at the inner recess and being configured to be received complementally in the outer recess in the body ofa second beverage container when a pluralit of such containers are nested.

3. A beverage con amer according to claim 2 wherein the body member is made of foamed resinous plastic material and the longitudinal recesses are embossed in the body member.

4. A beverage container according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal recesses are unfoamed portions of the body member.

5. A beverage container according to claim 1 further including a removable cover securable to the body member in substantially fluid-tight relationship with the rim, the cover including a separable portion oriented to register with the second tubular member thereby permitting the second tubular member to be extended fully without removal of the cover.

6. A beverage container according to claim 1 further including a substantially rigid cover fixedly secured to the body member in fluid-tight relationship with the rim, the cover including a separable portion oriented to register with the second tubular member, thereby permitting the extension of the second tubular member when the separable portion is removed.

7. A beverage container according to claim 6 further including biassing means disposed within the first tubular member between the base member and the end of the second tubular member adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member, the biassing means urging the second tubular member axially and impelling the second tubular member into at least a partially extended mode upon removal of the separable portion of the container cover.

8. A beverage container according to claim 7 wherein the base member has a well portion adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member to facilitate the flow of liquid toward the inlet.

9. A beverage container according to claim 6 wherein the body member, the base member and the cover are metallic. 

1. In a beverage container of the type including a body member terminating in a rim at one extremity and a base member secured at the other extremity, the improvement in combination therewith comprising: a. a substantially rigid first tubular member secured to the inside surface of the body member and extending from the base member to the rim, the first tubular member having an inlet adjacent the base member and an outlet at the container rim, and a portion of the first tubular member being constricted to provide an opening dimension at the outlet which is less than the inside dimension of the remainder of the first tubular member; and b. a substantially rigid second tubular member slidably disposed within and extensible with respect to the first tubular member, the second tubular member including an annular fitting secured tO its exterior surface at an end adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member, the fitting being substantially similar in cross-sectional configuration to that of the first tubular member and having a maximum cross-sectional dimension which is less than the minimum cross-sectional inside dimension of the first tubular member but greater than the maximum crosssectional dimension of the outlet of the first tubular member; the fitting of the second tubular member abutting the constricted portion of the first tubular member in substantially fluid-tight relationship when the second tubular member is fully extended with respect to the first tubular member to provide a conduit through which the beverage may be withdrawn from the container.
 2. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the body member is of substantial thickness and frustoconical in configuration, the base member being secured at the smaller extremity; the body member having a longitudinal recess in its outer surface and a longitudinal recess in its inner surface; the first tubular member being secured to the body member at the inner recess and being configured to be received complementally in the outer recess in the body of a second beverage container when a plurality of such containers are nested.
 3. A beverage container according to claim 2 wherein the body member is made of foamed resinous plastic material and the longitudinal recesses are embossed in the body member.
 4. A beverage container according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal recesses are unfoamed portions of the body member.
 5. A beverage container according to claim 1 further including a removable cover securable to the body member in substantially fluid-tight relationship with the rim, the cover including a separable portion oriented to register with the second tubular member thereby permitting the second tubular member to be extended fully without removal of the cover.
 6. A beverage container according to claim 1 further including a substantially rigid cover fixedly secured to the body member in fluid-tight relationship with the rim, the cover including a separable portion oriented to register with the second tubular member, thereby permitting the extension of the second tubular member when the separable portion is removed.
 7. A beverage container according to claim 6 further including biassing means disposed within the first tubular member between the base member and the end of the second tubular member adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member, the biassing means urging the second tubular member axially and impelling the second tubular member into at least a partially extended mode upon removal of the separable portion of the container cover.
 8. A beverage container according to claim 7 wherein the base member has a well portion adjacent the inlet of the first tubular member to facilitate the flow of liquid toward the inlet.
 9. A beverage container according to claim 6 wherein the body member, the base member and the cover are metallic. 